Stirrup.



C.' ERBE.

STIRRUP.

l APPLICATION FILED FEB.5, 1912.

Patented May 20, 1913.

CHRISTOPHER ERBE, OF TAIVIAQUA, PENNSYLVANIA..

STIRRUP.

noeaaev.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 20, 1913.

Application led February 5, 1912. Serial No. 675,511.

To all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER ERBE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tamaqua, in the county of Schuylkill and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new `and useful Improvements in Stirrups, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in stirrups, and is directed particularly to that class known as safety stirrups.

The invention has for its object to so con struct the device that in case of accident the foot of the rider will be released.

A further object of the invention is to provide a foot-piece with an improved means for regulating the tension of the spring which holds thesame in its normal position.

Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stirrup, Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the yoke, the lower ends of which form sleeves 2, and in which are mounted the opposite ends of the rod 3, said rod being held against accidental displacement'by set screws 4 which pass through the sleeve 2 and rod 3.

A foot-piece 5 is provided and consists of side bars 6 which have their lower ends formed with apertures 7, and by which thesame is pivotally connected to the rod 3. The upper ends of the side bars terminate in a curved lip 8, said lip being adapted to seat in a curved depression 9 formed in the bight portion of the yoke 1. Connected at its opposite ends vto the lower ends of the yoke 1 is a plate 10, and upon which the ball of the foot rests when in the stirrup.

Formed integral with the upper ends of the side bars 6 and extending downwardly is a plurality of outwardly inclined ribs 11,

the lower ends of which are bent reversely and are secured to the under .surface of the plate 10, said ribs serving to limit the insertion of the riders foot.

Secured to the rod 3, and adjacent one end thereof is an annular flange 12, said flange being provided with a series of perforations 13, and in any one of which one terminal of a coil spring 14 is secured, said spring surrounding the rod 3, and having its other terminal secured in a perforation 15 formed in the lower end of one of the side bars 6. Thus it will be seen that the spring 14 tends to hold the lip 8 seated in the depression 9, but will readily permit the foot-piece 5 to swing in one direction in case of accident thereby releasing the foot of the rider. This spring also holds the foot-piece firmly and will prevent rattling of the same. To regulate the tension of the spring 14 to more firmly hold the foot-piece 5 in its normal position, it is only necessary that the set screws be removed and the rod 3 rotated, thus winding the spring, whereupon the set screws are replaced, and the lip 8 is firmly seated in the depression y9.

To regulate the tension of the spring 14, in

some instances, it is only necessary that the terminal thereof which engages one of the perforations 13 formed in the flange 12 be shifted to another perforation, thus obviating the necessity of removing the set screws 4.

Formed in the bight portion of the yoke 1 is a transverse slot 16, and in which is secured the supporting strap 17 which forms a part of the usual riding saddle.

What is claimed is:

A stirrup of the class described comprising a yoke, the lower ends of the same being formed with sleeves, a rod having its ends journaled in the sleeves, means for preventing accidental rotation of said rod, a depression formed in the bight portion of the yoke, a foot-piece pivotally connected at its lower end to the rod, and having a lip formed upon its upper end, said lip being adapted to seat in said depression, an annular flange formed upon the rod, said flange being provided with a series of perforations, a coil spring surrounding a por- In testimony whereof I altix my signature, tion ofl the rod and haifzing one (f its termin the presence of two Witnesses. nuls eno-awed in one o the per orations of the anfebancl its other terminal Secured to CHRISTOPHER ERBE' 5 the foot-piece, whereby When said rod is ro- Vitnesses:

tated the tension of the spring is regulated REBECCA S. BEARD, to firmly hold the lip seated in the recess. SAMUEL R. BEARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, ZD. C. 

